Naghshe Jahan square is a showcase of Safavid Dynasty, which makes it obvious for every visitor who takes a tour to Iran that Isfahan was the capital of Persia not too long ago.

The three main components of power in Persia during Safavid days are present at the square. Bazaar as merchant’s power, mosque as the clergy power, and a palace as the king’s power are gathered in this square.

Around the square sits hundreds of stores selling handicrafts unique to this city.

Two striking mosques face Imam Square. The smaller one, Sheikh Lotfollah was built for the women of Shah’s harem. In your tour to Iran if you have had a precise look at the numerous mosques of the country, you probably have realized that minarets and courtyard are among the main parts of a mosque. But Sheikh Lotfollah’s neither has minarets nor a courtyard because it was not for a public use and the Shah decided to make it special.

And there is the Shah’s palace on the opposite side of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. A six story palace named Ali Qapu meaning “The Great Gate”. The king of Persia would sit on the terrace on third floor of Ali Qapu to watch Chowgan (polo), maneuvers, and horse-racing with his special quests. The walls and ceilings of rooms, corridors, and stairways are decorated by stunning paintings of Safavid artists.

Naghshe Jahan Square, a vitrine of the most beautiful artistic works from Safavid era, became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and is the highlight of every culture tour to Iran.

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

[…] natural attraction. Apart from the wonderful UNESCO Sites in Iran such as Persepolis in Shiraz, or Naqsh-e- Jahan square in Isfahan, there are some top tourist attractions such as Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Museum […]

[…] the entrance and the sanctuary of the mosque. The structure lies at a 45-degree angle against the Naqsh-e Jahan square eastern wall. As a result, the dome (that is 32 m high and 12 m in diameter) and the main entrance […]

[…] Isfahan is the masterpiece of Islamic architecture and art. You can see a great deal of mosques, caravanserais, bridges, madrasas, churches, handicrafts, etc. in Isfahan. But the part of the city where you can experience the liveliest nights is around Zayandeh-Rud River and the bridges over it. Zayandeh-Rud River adds more beauty and exhilaration to the city atmosphere. At night, people gather on the bridges and in the riverside parks. Some young men sing traditional music under Si-o-Se Pol (the bridge with 33 arches); a live solo concert under the sky! Some families have a picnic to have dinner together. Some drink tea enjoying the cool weather of night beside the river. Soffe Park on the mountain is recommended too. You can have a wonderful view of the city at sunset or sunrise. […]

[…] Safavid Dynasty, so the entire city has a magnificent architecture. The masterpiece of Isfahan is Naghsh-e Jahan Square (Imam Square). It is a UNESCO world heritage and is the world’s second largest square. The dome of […]